Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The second time around

I've been much more relaxed this time around when it comes to training for a competition. I'm 2 1/2 weeks into my nutrition and exercise program. I'm not too stressed about anything right now, which is a nice change. However, just because I'm more relaxed doesn't mean that I don't have to prepare every meal I eat and always be one step ahead so that way I don't get hungry and miss a meal.

I'll blog tomorrow.
I just wanted to let you know that I'm here and I am still training.
RsmKEttleGirl@gmail.com

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Changing your food

I get very set in my ways about what I like or want to eat. Last year when I competed I pretty much got into a routine of eating certain foods like: yams, chicken, ground turkey, broccoli, and added various toppings to add texture and spice to the meal.

As I am currently training now, I eat similar foods, but I'm using the crockpot all the time so that I don't have to stress about how to fit in making dinner for the family with such a busy life. I have found a slew of lowfat recipes that are tasty and nutritious. 

Another reason for making crockpot meals is because they provide a good alternative to the comfort foods I like. Two days ago I made "better than mom's chicken soup". It had lots of shredded white chicken, carrots, parsnips, pearl onions, and spices. I made some tasty dinner roles that the children ate, but I didn't. Then later that day I used the crockpot for making a berry cobbler for the children. They topped it with Golden Spoon vanilla frozen yogurt. They loved the meal, and I loved that I wasn't preparing a different meal for myself.

Yesterday I was at Costco. I picked up some frozen spinach & potato burgers. Instead of toasting or broiling them as suggested I slid them into the microwave. Yum! An excellent profile and easy on-the-go carb.

RsmKettleGirl@gmail.com
13 days and counting.....

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

white chicken chili recipe

I was in a store and I picked up this magazine essential slow cooker by Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications, April 5, 2011.

I picked it up because the cover had a bowl of tender pork & green chile stew on it, and the recipes inside looked delicious. Secondly I haven't had much time to cook as much or as well. I had a thought that if I used the crockpot more often then I wouldn't have to race to get dinner prepared when I have so many other things to do. But of course there is the balance of creating delicious yet calorie, fat, and nutrititionally balanced meals that work for my husband's upcoming competition and mine.

I have created 3 recipes (2 of which I have eaten). The 3rd Recipe was a Triple Berry Cobbler for the children.

Here is the White Chicken Chili Recipe:

For the cooked chicken poach 3-4 skinned and boned chicken breast halves in boiling water or chicken broth, covered, for about 12 minutes or until no pink remains. Drain, cool the chicken slightly, then chop.
(I cooked mine in chicken broth using chicken bouillon cubes).

In 3 1/2 or 4 qt. slow cooker, combine drained (3) 15 oz. cans of white kidney beans, rinsed and drained first +2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken + 1 1/2 cups chopped red, green, and or yellow sweet peppers (2 medium ones) + 1 cup chopped onion (1 large) + 2 fresh Jalepeno chili peppers, 2 teaspooons cumin + 2 cloves garlic minced + 1/2 teaspoon salt + 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano. Pour  3 1/2 cups of the chicken broth (I used to boil the chicken in) over mixture in cooker .

Next, cover and cook on low heat setting for 8-10 hours or higng setting for 4-5 hours. I started my cooker at 9am and it was ready for dinner the same day.

Last, After you serve it I topped it with a few fritos for the kids. Fritos actually only have 3 ingredients in them compared to other types of chips/crackers. Yes, they are still higher in fat, but it works for the kids.
Also, for the children, I put some nondairy sour cream (from Trader Joe's) to reduce the spicy hot flavor that the Jalepenos give to the dish. The kids liked it.

The recipe states that you can top the dish off with shredded Monterey Jack Cheese & broken tortilla chips. I opted out of the cheese. The four of us ate this meal for two days.

Tonight we had Cider Pork Stew (7 grams of fat per serving). Tomorrow we'll have the same meal.

Then I'll make the Better than Mom's chicken and noodels for Thursday evening. This meal has 7 grams of fat per serving as well.  This weekend I'll make the apple pie bread pudding in the crockpot for the children's dessert. I'll exchange the 1/2 and 1/2 for fat free 1/2 and 1/2, and replace the ice cream for Golden Spoon Vanilla Frozen Yogurt.

Enjoy the recipe I wrote. Let me know if you try it. FYI: If you are in the area Sultan's Market on El Toro Road is a fabulous place for inexpensive produce! I try to get all my produce there because of the great prices.

RsmKettleGirl@gmail.com

Monday, February 14, 2011

Hibernating

I've been hibernating lately. I was back on track, then went off track again. I've been back on track for 1 week now. I'm doing fine, but I have a good month before I'm in the groove of going strong. Then of course I'll have 3 more months to convince myself after that!

It's been really hard to get back on track, because a part of me just wants to really relax and not have to focus so intensely for the next several months. However, I also want to enter just ONE more competition. Even in my mind right now I just think about forgetting the whole thing, but more of me wants to commit than not commit. I tell myself one more time is not so bad. So anyway the hard part is being able to balance the social events with keeping on track with my food requirements. There are family birthdays, homeschooler mom night's out, date nights, and so on.....

Hibernating these past weeks is more about trying to get my head focused on the goal and not having to outwardly project my internal struggles to everybody else. Yet, I think that sharing the internal struggles is probably one of the most helpful parts to share with others in a body transformation.

So I will do my best to keep you updated on my struggles, since there will be plenty.
Right now I'm going to attend to my chicken chili soup with less than 4 g of fat per serving. I'll share the recipe tomorrow. It's an awesome one.

RsmKettleGirl@gmail.com